It’s a total win-win so head to the Hidden Shoal Store and check the specials on the front page. The sale ends on the 1st of Jan 2012 and some CD stock is very limited so do be quick.

Hidden Shoal Recordings began in Perth, Western Australia in May 2006. The motivation behind starting the label was to release music by Hidden Shoal’s very own Cam Merton (Glassacre), Stu Medley (Motor Eye) and Mal Riddoch (Enargeia). Friends Wayne Harriss, Chris Mason, Toby Richardson and Craig Hallsworth (Tangled Star) soon came on board, with the first swathe of Hidden Shoal releases dominated by Perth-based talent.

The first year of operation also saw the signing of our first international artists, Slow Dancing Society – who has since gone on to release four critically acclaimed albums– and Italian math-rockers Dilatazione.

HSR001:  Wayne Harriss Aerospace
HSR002:  My Majestic Star Ideas Are The Answer
HSR003:  Motor Eye Motor Eye
HSR004:  Chris Mason Up Down Up
HSR005:  Glassacre Slow Attack EP
HSR006:  Enargeia UFO: Stryker Force
HSR007:  Toby Richardson Golden Days EP
HSR008:  Various artists The Least Vestige of Land
HSR009:  Enargeia Gulag! 25.9.98
HSR010:  Slow Dancing Society The Sound Of Lights When Dim
HSR011:  Dilatazione Too Emotional For Maths
HSR012:  Tangled Star It’s Now or Later EP

Twelve releases in the first eight months? We started as we meant to continue!

Since starting up in Perth, Western Australia in 2006, Hidden Shoal has developed an enviable roster of genre-defying global and local recording artists. With 40+ acts from 10+ different countries ranging from the gorgeous neo-classical/minimal ambient of Antonymes through to the genius space-pop of Hotels and beyond the visionary team at Hidden Shoal continues to play an integral role in promoting exciting new independent music.

Mukaizake – ‘The Yeah Conditioner’  Mukaizake – ‘The Yeah Conditioner’

After more than three years of sharing excellent independent music far and wide, A Million Square Miles represents a key facet of the Hidden Shoal Recordings story, and is a beacon for the future of Western Australian music. Bringing together a pair of stunning tracks from each of eight WA-based artists on the Hidden Shoal roster, this sampler album is an essential listen whichever way you slice it.

There’s the serpentine indie-rock of Mukaizake and the crystalline instrumental pop of Apricot Rail; the raw intensity of Fall Electric and the shimmering dreampop of Glassacre; the hook-laden squall of Toby Richardson and the lush and subtle songcraft of My Majestic Star; the skewed melodicism of The Slow Beings and the wistful alt-country complexities of Tangled Star. A Million Square Miles isn’t just great Western Australian music – it’s great music, period. The album also includes the first tastes of upcoming releases by Mukaizake, My Majestic Star and Toby Richardson.

“This is the rare exhibition of musical aptitude that delights from start to finish, with nary a disappointment to be found … There’s no way to know for sure if Perth, Australia is indie rock’s next Seattle or Montreal, but Hidden Shoals’ impressive roster on A Million Square Miles is bound to shore up some buzz, and deservedly so:  it’s an exhilarating listen from beginning to end.” – DOA

A Million Square Miles is now available on CD in Australia. The album is distributed in Australia through Hidden Shoal Distribution and internationally via n5Mailorder. A Million Square Miles is also available digitally through the Hidden Shoal Store and all good third-party digital music stores (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, LaLa, Bandcamp, etc.). Head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all availability info.

Hidden Shoal has also made the album available as a free, embeddable streaming radio widget and Facebook Application. For more info check out the album’s project page.

Read a full press release here.

Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker

Crushed and Reminded takes the listener on a multi-dimensional sonic rollercoaster ride, showcasing tracks from recent 2009 HSR releases. Moving from bitcrushed remixes through cinematic instrumental rock to deliciously mellow ambient electronica, Crushed and Reminded shines a new light across the breadth and depth of the Hidden Shoal landscape.

It includes stunning songs from 11 Hidden Shoal artists and bands: The Caribbean, HC-B, Sankt Otten, Hotels, Down Review, Tangled Star, Apricot Rail, Tarcutta, Sleeping Me, Elisa Luu and Jumpel. Dip in, then explore each artist’s album and EP releases to experience their full splendour.

“a gripping, adventurous and touching journey across their catalogue of ambient, shoegaze, post-rock and indie-rock releases. The perfect introduction for the artists and bands, or alternatively, the perfect sampler for those who cannot decide which of these fantastic bands to pay attention to at the moment” – Post Rock Community review of Limit of Maps, volume 3 in the free sampler album series.

Crushed and Reminded is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store, along with volumes 1 to 4.

After more than three years of sharing excellent independent music far and wide, A Million Square Miles represents a key facet of the Hidden Shoal Recordings story, and is a beacon for the future of Western Australian music. Bringing together a pair of stunning tracks from each of eight WA-based artists on the Hidden Shoal roster, this sampler album is an essential listen whichever way you slice it.

There’s the serpentine indie-rock of Mukaizake and the crystalline instrumental pop of Apricot Rail; the raw intensity of Fall Electric and the shimmering dreampop of Glassacre; the hook-laden squall of Toby Richardson and the lush and subtle songcraft of My Majestic Star; the skewed melodicism of The Slow Beings and the wistful alt-country complexities of Tangled Star. A Million Square Miles isn’t just great Western Australian music – it’s great music, period. The album also includes the first tastes of upcoming releases by Mukaizake, My Majestic Star and Toby Richardson.

“Hidden Shoal Recordings is on a mission. The Australian label is busy enhancing minds, widening musical consciousness, opening ears, and taking us beyond the sometimes all too comfortably familiar” – Blogcritics

“Finding Hidden Shoal Recordings could rightly claim to be in the top 10 best things that ever happened to me, such is the quality and diversity of their roster” – Boring Machine Disturbs Sleep

A Million Square Miles is now available digitally through the Hidden Shoal Store and all good third-party digital music stores (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, LaLa etc). The album is also available on CD in the US through n5Mailorder (retail and distribution). The album will see it’s Australian release on December 15th, 2009.

Hidden Shoal has also made the album available as a free, embeddable streaming radio widget and Facebook Application. For more info check out the album’s project page.

Read a full press release here.

Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker  Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker

HSL comprises the constantly growing catalogue of over 600 tracks from the critically acclaimed Hidden Shoal Recordings music label. This wonderful selection of music covers a broad spectrum of sounds and styles, from filmic ambient instrumentals through to inventive indie rock and beyond. HSL provides a unique one-stop licensing source, handling both the master and sync rights.

If you’d like to be kept up to date with all HSL news, please join our mailing list or keep an eye on the pre-launch HSL website.

Of course the wonderful n5Mailorder in the US continues to distribute (wholesale and retail) Hidden Shoal releases to the US, Europe and Asia. And if digital is you thing then head to the Hidden Shoal Store to buy direct or hit any major digital retailer and you’ll find the full catalogue available.

Enjoy!

Plus, if you sign up to the Hidden Shoal mailing list this month, you’ll be in for a special surprise in the last week of birthday celebrations. All subscribers will get a free digital album voucher for use in the HSR Store. So if you’re not already on the mailing list then sign up here and we’ll send details out to all subscribers at the end of the month.

Whilst the band works in slo-mo the love for thier brand of post shoegaze, neo-indie stylings continues to grow. Glassacre have recently been featured on the wonderful European radio show Lado B hosted by the very cool Pedro Esteves. The show is broadcast across three Portugese radio stations and one French station. Head to the Lado B website where you can download podcasts of the show and also check out the station details for those of you in Portugal or France.

Glassacre – September 16th  Glassacre – September 16th

“Finding Hidden Shoal Recordings could rightly claim to be in the top 10 best things that ever happened to me, such is the quality and diversity of their roster”– Boring Machine Disturbs Sleep

“they continually showcase new, innovative artists to the masses” —The Silent Ballet

“This generation’s 4AD” – New York radio host and promoter DJ Mojo

The label will host a birthday bash at the Velvet Lounge in Mt Lawley, Perth on the 13th of May. Special guest DJs will be spinning sets curated from the Hidden Shoal catalogue, including previews of some exciting upcoming releases. There will be giveaways, CDs available, and a bevy of local HSR artists to touch! The evening will also feature a special performance by the wonderful pairing of Tristen Parr (Fall Electric, Schvendes) and Stina Thomas (Fall Electric, Stina).

During May the label will be running a number of promotions, including CD giveaways and HSR Store vouchers, as well as in conjunction with a number of other music sites and radio stations. Mailing list subscribers will be in for an extra special range of treats so be sure to sign up and get ready for the goods. All details will be revealed during the month, so stay tuned!

Read a full press release here.

East-West Section is like a knife with ears – an audible slice through Hidden Shoal’s 2008 releases. But no blood! We’ve stitched these killer tracks into a brand new tapestry… From the delicate ambient murmur of RL/VL to the avant-pop mastery of Iretsu; the lush lounge-jazz of Rich Bennett to the sublime ambient rock of City Of Satellites; the charming electro-pop of Ghost In The Water to the addictive indie-rock of Fall Electric and The Slow Beings; and acclaimed Hidden Shoal mainstays My Majestic Star, Sankt Otten and Slow Dancing Society. This is an irresistible showcase of the breadth and depth of the Hidden Shoal catalogue.

“Hidden Shoal Recordings is on a mission. The Australian label is busy enhancing minds, widening musical consciousness, opening ears, and taking us beyond the sometimes all too comfortably familiar” – Blogcritics

“a gripping, adventurous and touching journey across their catalogue of ambient, shoegaze, post-rock and indie-rock releases. The perfect introduction for the artists and bands, or alternatively, the perfect sampler for those who cannot decide which of these fantastic bands to pay attention to at the moment” – Post Rock Community review of Limit Of Maps, volume 3 in the free sampler album series

East-West Section is now available for free digital download from the HSR Store. Read a full press release here.

We can also announce a very special closing set from experimental electronic acousmatitians Enargeia. The duo will perform “Hidden Shoal Redux”, a Stockhausen inspired Hymnen to the HSR sound using their colleagues own recordings as source material for an exploration in sonic chaos.

The party is also the celebration of the release of the new volume in our free sampler album series, East-West Section, which will be available for free download on the night. To anyone attending, bring along your thumb drive or USB stick to be the first to download the album! East-West Section will then be available through the HSR Store.

This event will be suitably HUGE! Be there or become the rhomboid you always feared you might.

The next wave of albums to be available at the n5MD store in the coming weeks will include Sankt Otten’s Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder,  Slow Dancing Society’s The Sound of Lights When Dim and The Slow and Steady Winter, and Ghost In The Water’s Tooth. In time, all new Hidden Shoal releases will be available through n5MD, as well as selections from the back catalogue.

Head to the n5MD store now and check it all out.

Be sure to listen in to what is sure to be a luscious sonic adventure tomorrow night and also check out the rest of Fluid Radio’s awesome programming.

Slow Dancing Society – A Warm Glow Slow Dancing Society – A Warm Glow

In other related news the Hidden Shoal Recordings online store (HSR Store) has seen a series of new features added this week. The store has been upgraded to handle the aforementioned CD sales with The Slow Beings christening the shelves with their CD release of We Know Why The Earth Moves out today. The store also has a new “accountless” purchasing option that allows customers to purchase without needing to create a store account (payment is made via credit card or Paypal account all through Paypal secure servers). Last but not least the label has initiated a series of “back catalogue specials” where monthly selections from the back catalogue will be available in high quality digital format at up to 40% off normal price. What are you waiting for?

Wayne Harriss – Anymore Wayne Harriss – Anymore

BreakThru Radio
“BTR is the Internet’s voice of the world’s best independent music, where DJs take music personally… ‘Music for music lovers’ is BTR’s motto, and one that their DJs take very seriously. In a world where independent music is becoming more and more accessible, the need for select sources to filter the best is a necessity… BTR offers listeners access to unknown artists throughout the world, with a daily audience that includes more than a dozen countries. The site has garnered over 80 million listeners in its first year with its unique on-demand musical programming and focus on the best new independent music worldwide.”

DJ Mojo
“A force in the independent music scene for over four decades, BTR is thrilled to have his exquisite taste and expertise… DJ Mojo has spent the majority of his life in Brooklyn, NY heavily inundated in the local music scene. He has worked the doors of many of the city’s hottest venues, and written for such publications as Spin and Slash, and played in the UK electro-noise band Whitehouse, as well as being in the original lineup of Swans… Maximum Music airs every Tuesday on BTR featuring a wide array of music as eclectic and impressive as DJ Mojo himself… Mojo has found friendships with some of the musical greats such as Bowie and Iggy Pop, and the Beastie Boys even wrote a song about him.”

A prestigious showcase indeed! Don’t forget to check it out by streaming the show on BTR on Tuesday June 10th.

Limit of Maps is the third volume in the label’s sampler album series, available for free download from the HSR Store. The album includes a wonderful cross-section of Hidden Shoal’s activity over the second half of 2007, and also features a number of as yet unreleased tracks from upcoming 2008 releases. Many of the tracks are taken from critically acclaimed albums and EPs, a number of which have ended up on best of 2007 lists.

The contributing artists on Limit of Maps include Sankt Otten, Slow Dancing Society, Iretsu, Bury the Sound, Beautiful Lunar Landscape, Chris Mason, Monocle, Tangled Star, Toby Richardson, Cheekbone, The Retail Sectors, Glassacre, and Jumpel.

The album is available now for free download from the HSR Store.

Glassacre – Asleep in the Lake  Glassacre – Asleep in the Lake 

‘September 16th’ sees Glassacre at the height of their craft. The track is a tightly woven, intimately crafted piece of textured pop. Guitars coated in dark honey play against rolling drums as Chris Mason’s haunting vocals ring out across an altered twilight. As the song rallies to a kind of defeated triumph with the repeated vocal line “This is your stop”, everything shifts and the track takes a sharp 90 degree turn into a dark corridor. In true Glassacre style, ‘September 16th’ manages to discretely bridge together two disparate emotional landscapes leaving the listener without view of their origin. – Press Release Excerpt

‘September 16th’  is available now exclusively from the HSR Store and is bundled with the bonus track ‘Sanctuary’. Both tracks are lifted from the forthcoming Glassacre album Without Sleep to be released in the first quarter of 2008.

Glassacre – September 16th  Glassacre – September 16th

Included in the titles available at Amazon MP3 is the recently released avante pop masterpiece “The Moon and Stars Remain in the Morning Sky” by Portlands Iretsu, the stunning sophomore album “The Slow and Steady Winter” by US ambient artist Slow Dancing Society and the astonishing indie bliss rock that is “Alone in this Dark Romantic Night” by French trip rock outfit Beautiful Lunar Landscape.

Both releases as well as The Hero Cycle’s Lakes and Ponds will also be available via mail order through Amoeba. Hop into the HSR Store for direct purchase links.

Glassacre – Swimming in Greece Glassacre – Swimming in Greece

The following Hidden Shoal albums and EPs have now been re-released on CD in the US:

Wes Willenbring – Somewhere Someone Else
Available now from Aquarius Records, San Francisco & Amoeba Music, Los Angeles

Sankt Otten – Wir koennen ja Freunde bleiben
Available now from Aquarius Records, San Francisco & Amoeba Music, Los Angeles

The Hero Cycle – Lakes and Ponds
Available now from Amoeba Music, Los Angeles

All HSR releases at Aquarius Records, San Francisco will also be available via the store’s mail order service.

Hidden Shoal Recordings will announce further re-releases over the coming months, including Bury the Sound’s Autumn Magnets EP and Glassacre’s Slow Attack EP.

Glassacre – Tension Agreement Glassacre – Tension Agreement 

Embeding the Player
If you’d like to embed HSR Radio on your Myspace profile and fluff off that pithy little single song player you get by default then copy and paste the code below into your profile and voila! The player will work just as well in your blog or website. Instant excellent music!

<b><a xhref="http://music.hiddenshoal.com" mce_href="http://music.hiddenshoal.com" >Hidden Shoal Recordings Radio</a>. <a xhref="http://www.myspace.com/hiddenshoal" mce_href="http://www.myspace.com/hiddenshoal" >Get this player</a>.</b></p> <p><object enableJSURL="false" enablehref="false" mce_href="false" saveEmbedTags="true" allowScriptAccess="never" allownetworking="internal" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="never" allownetworking="internal" height="210" width="400" align="center" data="http://music.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/plugins/xspf_player/myspace_hsr_free_radio.swf?autoload=true&autoplay=false&repeat_playlist=true&playlist_url=http://music.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/plugins/xspf_player/playlist.php?cat=14"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal"></param><param name="movie" value="http://music.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/plugins/xspf_player/myspace_hsr_free_radio.swf?autoload=true&autoplay=false&repeat_playlist=true&playlist_url=http://music.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/plugins/xspf_player/playlist.php?cat=14"></param> </object></p> <p>

To grab the track hop along to the HSR Store, find the single then use this code to download the track for free: swiminglessons. Instructions for using gift codes in the store can be found under the Gift Vouchers link in the store.

Enjoy!

Take Away the Smiles Glassacre – Take Away the Smiles

What we can tell you though is that we’ve heard the rough mixes and it is sounding splendiferous to say the least. We can also tell you that the band has collaborated with songstress Chloë March who has worked her vocal magic on two tracks.

We’ll post some track previews as things get closer.

Glassacre Glasacre – Tension Agreement

glassacre mp3 Glassacre – Asleep in the Lake

Tension Agreement Listen to Tension Agreement by Glassacre

Swimming in Greece Glassacre – Swimming in Greece

Swimming in Greece Glassacre – Swimming in Greece